Paris – The Olympic quarter-finals continued to serve up brutal and thrilling conclusions on Monday as Argentina women beat Germany after being 90 seconds from defeat.
Few could have predicted the score to finish 1-1 and Las Leonas to prevail 2-0 in the shoot-out.
In a match where neither side could take their chances, Germany looked to be heading towards the last four when captain Nike Lorenz sent a pinpoint aerial through to Jette Fleschuetz with three minutes thirty left.
She was upended by Cristina Cosentino (there was, however, no theatrical football-like dive from Fleschuetz) as she tried to evade the Las Leonas ‘keeper. Viktoria Huse pushed clinically into the corner from the stroke.
Then, with 90 seconds left, Argentina produced a wonderful penalty corner goal.
A central flick was sent towards Eugenia Trinchinetti. On her knees, she deflected in beautifully. Then, with 35 seconds left, Germany countered but Fleschuetz hit the side netting.
To the shoot-outs and Germany missed their opening two efforts as a grounded and smothering Cosentino made amends.
In between, Lara Casas bewilderingly juggled her effort from the 23m and was immediately fouled.
Julieta Jankunas got the scoreboard rolling, so did Zoe Diaz, while Germany continued to miss the target which included Anne Schroeder’s effort ruled out for being over eight seconds.
Argentina, the world silver medallists, had reached their sixth semi-final in seven Olympics. After three Olympic silvers since Sydney 2000, they are vying for a first ever women’s gold.
